The Sally's Paddock is the jewel in the Redbank crown. Named after winemaker Neill Robb’s wife, Sally's Paddock is handcrafted from a single non-irrigated vineyard at Redbank Winery and is entirely estate grown and bottled. It is universally regarded as one of Australia’s classic red wines. The unique combination of soil type, cool-mild climatic characteristics and un-irrigated traditional culture vineyards produce low yield grapes of high intensity, colour and flavour in the classic Pyrenees style.
I am delighted to release the 2005 Sally’s Paddock. The 27th Vintage and a stunning wine. It was our 30th Vintage at Redbank Winery. The 2005 Vintage was interesting from several points of view. Being about 10 years into the drought was filling us with concern but the vineyards performed well in 2004 and 2005 despite the conditions. The the vines seemed to recover for the next two years, presumably relying on deep subsoil moisture that the deep-rooted dry-grown vines can utilize.
So the 2005 was reasonable from a quantity point of view and the quality of the usual high standard. There is less good news from the 2006 and 2007 vintages with the quantities well down because of the persistent the price up sustantially for these vintages. Dense colour, beautiful deep crimson tending to burgundy. The aromas are, as usual, very complex. There is noticeable new wood with dense and slightly obscure berry/spice aromas. Some chocolate and cigar box. Wonderfully full and pleasant. The palate exhibits the same deceptively smooth, soft, even texture that is usual in Sally’s Paddock. Sweet fresh fruit is evident early leading to elusive Mocha and spice characters, so seamlessly interwoven and new oak married to powerful, restrained berry fruit flavour. The finish is lifted and very long tasting leaving an impression of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. This wine has already come together as a complete and delicious tasting experience and should become even more delicious given some time to develop. Will keep at least fifteen years but should be a perfect drink after another 5 years. Neill Robb
